Motorcycle safety was the focus of an event at CMC Motorcycles in Newport yesterday.

Gwent Police is promoting safe and responsible motorcycling on Welsh Roads with the launch of Op Darwen.

Op Darwen is an all-Wales operation aimed at reducing the number of road traffic collisions involving motorcycles. From now until October, officers from the Gwent Police Area Support Units will be carrying out high visibility motorcycle patrols targeting those who ride in an anti-social manner.

Police officers and colleagues from GoSafe, the Wales Road Casualty Reduction Partnership, were also on hand at CMC Motorcycles offering advice and giving out more information about BikeSafe.

Gwent Police will be running a series of 1 day BikeSafe and 2 day 'Bridging the Gap' workshops between April and October which are specifically designed for motorcyclists looking for post-test training and have proved to be of benefit to riders of all levels and experience.

The workshops are a mix of theory and practical sessions and will include on-road observed rides, information videos and biker-related first aid.

The cost of a 1 day BikeSafe workshop is £35 with the 2 day 'Bridging the Gap' workshop costing £60. This price also includes lunch, refreshments and literature.

Coordinator PC Leigh Williams said: “It is a national initiative to increase awareness of road safety and decrease accidents, together with increasing the number of riders to go on to take further advanced rider training."